Collapsible stretcher.



N. FUCHS.

COLLAPSIBLE STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. r, 1916.

Patented Nov, 21,

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

gwvamfoz MFWJMF wamao NIKOLAUS FUCHS,

COLLAPSIBLE Specification of Letters Patent or AKRON, OHIO.

STRETCHER.

Patented Nov. 21, 1 216 Application filed September 1, 1916. Serial No. 118,049.

To alive/1.0175352, may concern Be it knownthat I, NIKOLAUS Foo-us, a subject of the King of Hungary, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of (lhio, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Collapsible Stretchers of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in collapsible stretchers.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher especially adapted for employment in the army and having telscoping side men'ibers whereby the device may be accommodated in a small space when it is folded in its inoperative condition.

A further object of the device is the pr0- vision of a stretcher having the portions thereof rea'di-l se arable and reassembled for use, the device providing a strong and stable patient-carrying stretcher when'unfolded arranged with elevating mounting legs.

With these general-objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel combination and arrangement 01 parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and then claimed.

In the drawings forming a part of this applicationand in which like designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device operatively arranged in its unfolded position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an end view of the same. Fig. e. is an elevational view of one of the side rails retracted. Fig.

'5 is a view partially in section of one-half oi the same in its extended arrangen'ient. Fig. (l is an inverted perspective view of one of the end bars oi the device detached with one of the 'legs folded and the other unfolded. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of two adjacent telescoping sections of one ot the side rails and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the mattress detached and broken away together with one of the end bars secured thereto. A

I Referring more in detail to the drawings, the present provision being for the accommodation of sick persons in transferring them from one place to another such as in field hospital work, the same broadly consists in oppositely arranged side rails 10 having terminal'handles 11 parallel connecting cars 12 and 13 being secured between the said side rails while a flexible mattress such as a piece of canvas 14 is attached to the said rails and bars. supporting legs 15 for the device being carried by the end liars.

The rails 10 are formed of a plurality of tapered tubular sections 15, the handles 11.

being attached to the terminal ones of said. sections, while the central section 16 is oi double ended formation adapted for the telescoping reception of all the other sections therein thereby presenting an appearance similar to that shown in Fig. at of the drawings when one of the {side rails is closed. Bayonet slots 17 and pins 18 are arranged at corresponding ends of the said sections 15 adapted for interengagement when the sections are'extended for preventmg any native longitudinal movement therebetween, the pins 18 being at such times arranged within the slightly large ends 19 of the said slots. The pins 18 are of a. height less than the thickness of the metal of which the sections 15 are formed whereby the said pins do not project outwardly of the slots 17 and the movement of the pins inthc longitudinal portions of the said slots during the closing or retracting of the rails allows the pins to freely move within the adjacent section by reason of the taper of the overlying sections being sailicient to accommodate the short pins. Such locking of the rail sections together when extended prevents any accidental closing thereof under the weight of the load upon the canvas 14 when the device is in-use.

The end bars 12 and13 are each provided with projecting screws2Q at their opposite ends freely positioned through the terminal sections of the rails 10 and retained in position by means of wing nuts 21, it being noted that the adjacent ends of the said bars are socketed as at 22 for fitting over the'adjacent rail sections. One end of the canvas 14 is fixedly secured to the end bars 13 by means of a clamping strip and holdfast members 2% while a. plurality of rings 25 are provided around the remaining free edges of the canvas 14 freely arranged slidably positioned upon the rails l0 and the and bar 12. The weight receiving canvas 14 is thus operatively positioned within the rectangular frame formed by the said rails or bars as best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The bars 12 and 13 are provided with cruciform-shaped sockets :26 adapted to receive the feet 27 of the legs 15 when the latter are folded, the said legs being pivotally attached adjacent the ends of the said bars within longitudinal slots 28 by means of pivot pins 29,. parallel guide plates 30 being carried by the bars adjacent the pivotal connection of the legs.

The complete operation of the device will be understood from this detailed description thereof, the side rails 10 being folded as shown in Fig. l when desired to transport the stretcher while the bars 12 and 13 are removed and the legs 15' are folded within the slots of the said bars. The device is then readily assembled in the manner as hereinliefore set forth, it being apparent that two persons by grasping the handles 11 may readily carry the stretcher with a person positioned upon the canvas 14. A strong and serviceable stretcher is thus arranged adapted for all ordinary uses where such a stretcher is desired.

\Vhat I claim as new is 1. -& stretcher comprising opposite telescoping side rails formed in sections, locking means between the said sections, end bars detachably arranged between the said rails and having cruciform sockets therein, supporting legs pivoted tothe said bars provided with feet portions arranged within the said sockets when folded and a flexible supporting member attached to the said rails and bars. Y

t ,2. A stretcher comprising side rails formed of inter-engaging telescoping'sections. end bars connecting the terminal ones of said sections together and having longitudinal slots terminating in cruciform sockets in their under faces, supporting legs hinged adjacent the opposite ends of the said bars within the said slots and having terminal feet seated within the said sockets when the of telescoping tapered tubular sections, the

central one of said sections being double ended tapering in opposite directions adapted for the reception of the other sections when the device is folded, pin and bayonet slot connections between,the said sections adapted for interengagement when the sections are projected, end bars carried by the said sections and a flexible support carried bv the said rails and bars.

-t. A. stretcher comprising telescoping side rails, end bars connecting the said rails, folding legs carried by the said bars, a canvas having one end thereof permanently clamped longitudinally of one of the said bars, and mounting rings carried by the remaining three edges of the canvas freely arranged over the said rails and other bars.

A stretcher having side bars composed of tapered tubular sections, the overlying ends of the said sections being provided with bayonet slots, pins carried by the underlying ends of the said sections of less height than the thickness of the metal of the sections arranged within the transverse portions of the said slots when the rails are extended, the taper of the said sections being suiiicient to permit the withdrawal of said pins within the overlying sections upon the relative-longitudinal movement of the sections during. the folding operation of the rails.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' NIKOLAU S FUCHS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

